Swiss Canton Makes E-Government Solution Open Source

The Swiss canton Zug has put a collaboration solution called iZug under GPL licensing.

The iZug solution includes a Web-based content management system, task and schedule maintenance and workplace solutions for internal and external coworkers. By its own reports, the canton has deployed the software for 1,500 canton workers and 400 external users.

The solution works with Microsoft Office and OpenOffice alike and is based on Plone. The specially formed PloneGov.ch association takes care of the maintenance and development of 22 modules. Association president Hanna Muralt Müller comments: "The Zug canton is promoting the innovative capabilities of the community with the release of the software. The modules can be used by members of other associations. PloneGov.ch is coordinating and ensuring its care and further development."

The solution is under a version of GPL of the Swiss IT Conference (SIK) that adheres to Swiss code. Downloads are available from the 4teamwork Plone service provider out of Berne. An online demo (registration required) of the software is also available from 4teamwork.

Related content

The Swiss Federal Office for Construction and Logistics (Bundesamt für Bauten und Logistik, or BBL) is reported as having purchased Microsoft licenses in the order of 42 million Swiss francs (about $38 million). Because no public bids were tendered, open source organizations are now requesting a review of the decision.

The simplicity and power of Plone make it the open source CMS of choice for sophisticated sites. Plone 3.0, which was released in August, brings many improvements and enhanced support for enterprise applications.

The Swiss federal agency known as Schweizerische Fachstelle für Informationstechnologien (SFIB) or Centre suisse des technologies de l'information dans l'enseignement (CTIE) has studied the user licenses for Microsoft products in Swiss schools. The result is a warning against the licensing and a recommendation to use open source products.

The complaint from 18 open source service providers against the contract deal between Microsoft and the Swiss Federal Office of Construction and Logistics (BBL) has paid off. The Swiss Supreme Court has stopped the deal in its tracks.